Dog Laws in other parts of the UK

Northern Ireland

The laws in Northern Ireland differ from ours in several respects, however the breed specific part of the Act 9Article 25a) is essentially the same as that of England in that there are four banned breeds (and types thereof)

The Japanese Tosa

Fila Brasiliero

Dogo Argentino

Pit Bull Terrier

It is an offence to own or be possession of any dog to which article 25 a applies.Until July 2011 there was no amendment to the Act and there was a mandatory destruction order on all dogs found to be of a banned breed type.

The amendment to the Act lifted the mandatory destruction order and gave the courts discretionary powers to exempt the dog if satisfied it poses no danger to public safety. The owner of dog must agree to the conditions of exemption which are the same as in England with the exception of tattooing.

In England, DEFRA maintain the Index of Exempted Dogs whereas in Northern Ireland, individual councils run their own exemption registers.